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Kite SUP Run Charity Challenge

On the 30th September we will be back on Hayling Island to undertake the Kite SUP Run Charity Challenge – The first triathlon of its kind!

Many people remember the first Armada of 2013, a 43 mile behemoth that began in 15 knots and ended in 40. It was pretty epic and an amazing platform for the event – but as the numbers grew, running the mass downwinder safely became increasingly challenging. (However, we all still love big downwinders with our mates – so this year we are offering you the chance to recapture something of the original Armada for yourselves…read on!)

We have been thinking about a new charity Challenge at the festival for a while. It needs to be engaging as an idea, manageable around the Hayling Island area without sending people miles off down the coast, challenging enough to deserve some sponsorship but fun enough that people want to give it a go!

So this year, we are launching the Kite SUP Run Charity Challenge

How does it work? Well you start by kiting one mile downwind from CBK beach to land at the public beach. Then, you store your gear in an assigned spot, and begin your one mile run in your wetsuit to the the start of the SUP leg where a SUP board is waiting for you – you jump on and paddle the assigned SUP one mile route to the finish. Medals, glory and an after party await!

Sound fun? Of course it sounds fun! And it’s FREE – you just need to aim for a £100 pp fundraising target. If you are one of the 50 people already signed up as part of the Kitesurfing Armada – you don’t need to do anything else, you have your fundraising page already, just keep using it and we will see you on the 30th. Full details will be emailed!

If you would like to sign up today, you can enter at the link below, get your Virgin Money Giving page and join in!

There will be fantastic prizes for our top individual fundraisers, youngest and oldest participants and best fancy dress – with our top fundraiser winning a bespoke Liquid Force kiteboard! There are loads of other prizes from Snugs earphones to vouchers and hoodies.

The Golden Rashie and Downwinder Prize

If between a team of 4 kitesurfers a total of £4,000 is raised for charity, you will trigger a very special prize.

Not only we will commission bespoke golden rash vests for all your team members, but we will cover the costs of your own personal safety boat to accompany you on any length of downwinder you want at a time of your choosing over the following year. Your downwinder must take place in one day – and the route must be agreed as safe and achievable with the RIB company – but apart from that you can plan your epic downwinder yourself. Good luck!

Fundraising for the Armada Trust and Virgin Unite

The level of fundraising that the kitesurfing community has delivered through these events has led to the formation of the Armada Trust, a new charity dedicated to maximising funds raised from Armada events and distributing them to a range of fantastic causes.

Over recent years we have supported youth charities, overseas charities and rescue charities such as the RNLI and Serve On. It has been fantastic to be able to help in a big way, as over £160,000 has been raised to date.

We recently launched the first ever Kite & SUP Youth Tour with Armada Trust funding – and we really want the Festival to be able to continue to support the grassroots of our sport going forward.

So this year your fundraising will support two clear areas:

1) It will enable us to develop the Youth Tour project, enabling children and young people who would otherwise never have a chance to participate in kitesports to get involved and get linked in with their local kite and SUP schools.

2) It will support the fantastic work of Virgin Unite both in the UK and Internationally

If you don’t fancy the Kite SUP Run Challenge but would like to support our fundraising efforts through the Armada Trust, you can make an online donation at Virgin Money Giving. Every donation makes a difference, so whatever you can give, thank you – we are very grateful for your support.